Chair!

If you have spent any time walking around Brighton, you might have noticed how rare it is to find a comfortable place to just sit down and pause for a moment. It is a small detail, but it changes how we experience the city. This is exactly what the performance piece Chair! is looking at when it comes to The Dance Space on the weekend of May 23 and 24, 2026. The project, which is part of the Brighton Festival, explores the idea of public seating and asks a simple but interesting question: where did our public seats go, and what would happen if we brought them back? It imagines public spaces designed to actually care for people, offering spots to relax, work, or just dream without being rushed.

The performance itself is described as a dreamlike world filled with chairs and surreal objects, celebrating the act of sitting down. It is a reminder that everyone has the right to sit down, and it approaches this concept through an artistic lens. While the website classifies it under 'Childrens Events', the themes of public space and reflection seem broad enough to be relevant to anyone interested in how we use our city. The venue, The Dance Space, is located at 2 Market Square, Circus Street, BN2 9AS.

Interestingly, the Brighton Festival and the Geraldine Pilgrim Performance Company are currently looking for people to be part of the performance. They have put out a 'participation call out' for anyone over 16 who wants to join in on a pop-up outdoor performance. You do not need any acting experience to take part; they are simply looking for people who want to demonstrate the idea that everyone has the right to sit down and dream. If you are just looking to attend, the event is free to enter, though you will need to check the specific details for the standard tickets. It is an unusual concept, but it might be worth a look if you are curious about how art can interact with our daily urban habits.